Sport glove

ABSTRACT

A sport glove, primarily designed to be used as a golf glove to secure the holding of a golf club wherein the glove includes a grip retention means in the form of an elongated strap interconnected to a predetermined number of glove fingers and including a glove finger orienting means engaging the back surface of the predetermined plurality of fingers when these fingers are in a closed, folded relation about the handle of the club being gripped. Strap connecting means pivotally engages one end of the strap while strap securing means securely engages the opposite end in removable fashion relative to the back surface of the glove so as to dispose the strap in engagement with the predetermined number of fingers causing them to securely engage the grip of the club during its use.

United States Patent [191 Mlodoch NOV. 11, 1975 SPORT GLOVE 22 Filed: Mar. 10,1975

21 Appl. No.2 556,894

I Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 394,788, Sept. 6. 1973,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 2/161 A; 2/161 A [51] Int. Cl. A4lD 19/00 [58] Field of Search 2/161 R, 161 A, 159, 162, 2/16; 273/54 B 3,707,730 1/1973 Slider .2: ..2/l6lA Prinmry E.\'aniinerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Stein & Orman [5 7] ABSTRACT A sport glove, primarily designed to be used as a golf glove to secure the holding of a golf club wherein the glove includes a grip retention means in the form of an elongated strap interconnected to a predetermined number of glove fingers and including a glove finger orienting means engaging the back surface of the predetermined plurality of fingers when these fingers are in a closed, folded relation about the handle of the club being gripped. Strap connecting means pivotally engages one end of the strap while strap securing means securely engages the opposite end in removable fashion relative to the back surface of the glove so as to dispose the strap in engagement with the predetermined number of fingers causing them to securely engage the grip of the club during its use.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 11, 1975 3,918,097

SPORT GLOVE This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 394,788, filed Sept. 6, 1973, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A sport glove including means attached thereto to secure the glove fingers about a sport club in a desired fashion by restraining the fingers through orientation of the finger restraining means as desired relative to the remainder of the glove.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various types of gloves used to assist the user in gripping golf clubs or the like are in wide use throughout this particular sport. In addition, sports gloves used for this purpose are now being utilized in many other ,sports including baseball, tennis, bowling, etc. in order to help the participant to acquire and/or maintain the proper grip on the sporting utensil he is dealing with.

While the popularity of golf gloves and similar sporting gloves has increased to a point of common usage, there are still other ways of even more efficiently accomplishing the desired, steady grip on a golf club or the like. In an attempt to accomplish a more efficient grip, various modification of the conventional golf gloves have been demonstrated in the prior art. These include roughened surfaces over the gripping area itself, peculiar design configurations of the glove which allegedly increases the gripping surface or alternately restricts the hand into the proper formation about the club or device being utilized and finally auxiliary devices used to restrict the fingers or other portions of the hand into a selective grip about the club as desired.

This last means of efficiently perfecting the grip has gone through various stages of development evident by the numerous prior art devices commercially available and disclosed in patented art.

Various attempts at this type of glove modification are disclosed in the prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. to Hay, 2,083,604; Gallagher, 3,408,657; Woodward, 3,372,401 and Berkhemer, 3,411,159. As stated, all of the structures disclosed in these U.S. patents are primarily directed to various golf glove or golf grip aids attempting to perfect the grip on the club of the participant.

However, these structures, as well as others commercially available, while supposedly somewhat effective can be generally considered relatively inefficient due to the overly complex structure, the inconvenience of use and/or the ineffective design features rendering its actual use less than effective.

Accordingly, while there exists a recognition of the problem of securing the proper grip, in the sporting industry, there is generally an inferior or at least an inefficient means of solving this problem. Therefore, the need is obvious for a golf glove having an auxiliary grip retention means formed thereon which is both efficient and simple of design and structure thereby allowing effective grip retention of a club while at the same time providing a glove with versatility which allows the auxiliary device not to become a handicap during its inoperativeness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION preferred embodiment, the grip retention means comprises a substantially elongated strap having a first end connected to the glove so as to allow pivotal movement of the strap relative to the glove palm. A finger orientation means is connected to the strap and may be in the form of a patch specifically enlarged and configured to engage a predetermined number of glove fingers. The

disposition of the finger orienting means is such as to engage the back surface of the upper portions of the predetermined number of fingers wherein these fingers are positioned in a substantially closed, folded orientation about the grip-of the club or sport device being secured in the gloved hand of the participant.

A strap securing means has at least one portion thereof connected to the second end of the strap which may be oppositely disposed relative to the first end of the strap. A second'or cooperating portion of the strap securing means is mounted on the back surface of the glove opposite to the glove palm thereof so as to secure this second strap end thereto thereby orienting the strap in an extended position across the folded fingers and simultaneously across the palm. Connecting of opposite ends of the strap in this manner and disposition of the finger orienting means in the manner described above forces the engaged, predetermined number of fingers into this folded, closed position about the club grip as long as the strap remains in this securely centered position. This, of course, serves to maintain a tight, desired grip about the club handle in an efficient manner.

In order to facilitate maintenance of the fingers in the manner described above, finger engaging means may be cooperatively positioned both on the interior surface of the finger orienting means and'on the top rear surface of each finger engaged. Cooperative engagement with these two portions of the finger engaging means serves to interconnect the fingers to the finger orienting means and thereby additionally insure proper orientation of the engaged fingers about the handle of the club during its use.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the sport glove of the present invention looking at the palm surface thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the glove with the grip retention means in the secured position.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and further showing one embodiment of the strap securing means.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the strap comprising the grip retention means.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view in closed finger position of yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of an embodiment of the present invention showing both the strap securing means and strap connecting means cooperatively positioned on opposite ends of the strap and on the rear surface of the glove relative to the palm thereof.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the finger orienting means of the present invention including details of the finger engaging means, strap connecting means and strap securing means.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION As shown in FIG. 1, the glove of the present invention is generally indicated as 10 and includes a palm area 12 with a plurality of fingers 14 including thumb 16. It should be noted that in disclosing and describing the glove of the present invention, each of the fingers and thumb is individually formed and comprise five, in total number. However, it should be obvious that the specific configuration of the finger and thumb portions of the glove is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and one or more of the fingers may include a common area, etc. as is not uncommon in the prior art.

The glove further includes a common entrance aperture 18 for insertion of the hand of the participant of wearer of the glove. A grip restraining means generally indicated as 20 comprises an elongated strap 22 having a first end generally indicated at 24 cooperatively engaging a strap connecting means generally indicated as 26 to be described hereinafter. The second end of the strap is generally indicated as 28 and is oppositely disposed relative to the first end 24. With specific reference to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, second end 28 of the strap has formed thereon a strap securing means 30 to be described in detail hereinafter.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the strap connecting means may take the form of any type of fastener 32 having a configuration which allows the first end 24 of strap 22 to be attached thereto. This fastener is securely attached to the lastmost finger stall on the glove as shown in FIG. 1. The fastener 32 is arranged in spaced relation to the lastmost finger such that the first end 24 of strap 22 may pass between the last finger 14 and the fastener and by folded thereabout and connected to itself by means of a snap connector 34. By virtue of this connection, strap 22 is movably or pivotally connected to the glove so that it is allowed to extend across the palm area of the glove as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The strap securing means 30 formed on the second end 28 of strap 22 is disposed to engage a cooperating securing position 36 mounted on the back surface 38 of the glove relative to palm 12. As clearly shown, the strap securing means 30 and its cooperating securing portion 36 may be in the form of a VELCRO fastener thereby allowing the securing means to be removably connected to the rear surface 30(a) in the manner apparent from the embodiment shown.

Finger orienting means generally indicated as 40 comprises a patch 42 connected to or integrally formed on strap 22. Patch 42 is specifically configured and dimensioned to engage a predetermined plurality of fingers 14 along their rear, upper surface 44 as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

In operation, the first end 24 of strap 22 is secured to the strap connecting means 26. A plurality of glove fingers are then folded down over the grip or handle of a club (not shown) in the conventional manner such that the strap 22 and all of the folded glove fingers securely overlap this grip. This position is shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The strap is oriented to extend across the palm 12 and the upper rear surfaces'of thefolded glove fingers such that these upper surfaces'of the fingers engage the inner surface 48 of the patch 42 shown in both FIGS. 2 and 5.

To facilitate connection between patch 42 and fingers 14, finger connecting means may be cooperatively mounted both on the surfaces 44 of fingers. l4 and on the inner surface 48 of patch 42. This is clearly: shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 wherein a VELCRO-type fastener may be cooperatively positioned to provide the secure, interconnection between the fingers 14 and the patch 42.

An additional embodiment of the present invention comprises the strap connecting means 26 comprising a first portion secured to the inner surface 27 of strap 22 at the second end thereof 28 and also on the rear surface 38 of glove 10. More specifically, a strip connecting portion 50 may be mounted on surface-38 of the glove and be cooperatively positioned so as to engage end 28 which includes the second portion 52 of the strap securing means 26. These portions may be in the form of VELCRO fasteners cooperatively configured and disposed to engage one another so as to removably secure first end 28 of strap 22 to the rear surface 38 of the glove as shown.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and article without departing from the scope of the in-..

comprising: a glove palm, a plurality of glove fingers I attached to said glove palm, each of said plurality of glove fingers disposed in spaced, unconnected relation to one another, a back surface disposed oppositely to said glove palm and connected to said plurality of glove fingers; a retention means attached to said glove structure and including a strap member, said strap member comprising a first end and a second end oppositely disposed relative to one another, strap connecting means attached to an endmost finger of said plurality of fingers, said first end of said strap member connected to said strap connecting means; strap securing means attached to said glove structure inspaced relation to said strap connecting means,said second end of said strap member connected to said strap securing means; finger orienting means formed on said strap member and con figured to engage a predetermined number of glove fingers disposed in folded, closed position, whereby said predetermined number of glove fingers are maintained in a folded position when said strap member is connected at its first and second ends to said strap connecting means and said strap securing means, respectively. 1

2. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 wherein said finger orienting means comprises a patch member attached to said strap member intermediate said first end and said second end of saidstrap member, saidpatch to grip member configured to engage at least two glove fingers so as to maintain said two glove fingers in a folded, closed position.

3. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 further comprising finger engaging means formed on a predetermined number of said plurality of fingers, said finger engaging means disposed on said predetermined number of fingers in corresponding relation to engage said patch member when said fingers are positioned in a folded, closed position.

4. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 wherein said strap connecting means comprises a fastener securely attached to the outer portion of said endmost glove finger, said first end of said strap member removably attached to said fastener, whereby said strap member may be detached from said glove structure when not in finger restraining position.

5. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 further comprising said strap securing means attached to said back surface of said glove structure, said second end of said strap member removably attached to said strap securing means when said strap is extended across the glove palm in finger restraining position, whereby said first end and said second end of said strap member may be removably detached from said strap connecting means and strap securing means, respectively.

6. A sport glove structure as in claim 5 wherein said strap securing means comprises a VELCRO fastener. 

1. A sport glove structure primarily designed to grip a club or like sport instrument, said glove structure comprising: a glove palm, a plurality of glove fingers attached to said glove palm, each of said plurality of glove fingers disposed in spaced, unconnected relation to one another, a back surface disposed oppositely to said glove palm and connected to said plurality of glove fingers; a retention means attached to said glove structure and including a strap member, said strap member comprising a first end and a second end oppositely disposed relative to one another, strap connecting means attached to an endmost finger of said plurality of fingers, said first end of said strap member connected to said strap connecting means; strap securing means attached to said glove structure in spaced relation to said strap connecting means, said second end of said strap member connected to said strap securing means; finger orienting means formed on said strap member and configured to engage a predetermined number of glove fingers disposed in folded, closed position, whereby said predetermined number of glove fingers are maintained in a folded position when said strap member is connected at its first and second ends to said strap connecting means and said strap securing means, respectively.
 2. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 wherein said finger orienting means comprises a patch member attached to said strap member intermediate said first end and said second end of said strap member, said patch member configured to engage at least two glove fingers so as to maintain said two glove fingers in a folded, closed position.
 3. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 further comprising finger engaging means formed on a predetermined number of said plurality of fingers, said finger engaging means disposed on said predetermined number of fingers in corresponding relation to engage said patch member when said fingers are positioned in a folded, closed position.
 4. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 wherein said strap connecting means comprises a fastener securely attached to the outer portion of said endmost glove finger, said first end of said strap member removably attached to said fastener, whereby said strap member may be detached from said glove structure when not in finger restraining position.
 5. A sport glove structure as in claim 1 further comprising said strap securing means attached to said back surface of said glove structure, said second end of said strap member removably attached to said strap securing means when said strap is extended across the glove palm in finger restraining position, whereby said first end and said second end of said strap member may be removably detached from said strap conneCting means and strap securing means, respectively.
 6. A sport glove structure as in claim 5 wherein said strap securing means comprises a VELCRO fastener. 